The wind was cool as Weiss cut her hand through the air like a dagger, the truck bounced as Ruby ran over a pothole, giggling all the way. Yang, Blake, and Ruby were talking about something, but Weiss couldn't focus on what they were saying. Her heartbeat was heavy and her mind felt foggy, maybe she was having a sugar crash from the ice cream?

"Weiiiiiss!" Ruby called, snapping her attention back to reality.

"Yeah?" She asked, blinking wildly as she looked from Ruby to the back seat. Blake was laying on top of Yang, her face buried in the crook of her girlfriend's neck, arms gripping her shoulders. Yang's hands were on Blake's back, rubbing in slow circles. Weiss couldn't see either of their eyes, but they were both breathing deeply and seemed as close to sleep as you could get.

"You're sure you can go with us?" Ruby asked, a flash of green crossed her face from a light.

"Yeah," Weiss nodded, feeling her heart thump.

"You're sure? You didn't call Winter or anything to ask,"

"I'm sure,"

"Ok, I just don't want you getting in trouble or anything," Ruby said, pausing and looking at Weiss with a raised eyebrow, "Are you ok?"

"Of course I'm ok, why wouldn't I be?"

"Because your answers are all super short and you have this glazed look on your face like you're bored,"

"I'm not bored! If anything I'm too excited," Weiss said, putting her hand on her chest and trying to slow her breathing. "Or anxious. I really have no idea at this point,"

"Oh no! That's not good! Is there anything I can do to help? We're almost to your place, right? Should I pull over?"

"No, don't worry about it, just keep going," Weiss chuckled.

"Why're you laughing? Don't get me wrong, I love hearing you laugh, I just wanna know why,"

"It's just sorta… cute,"

"You think I'm cute?"

"I didn't say that,"

"You don't think I'm cute?"

"I definitely didn't say that," Weiss chuckled, covering her face with her hand, stifling the laughter.

"Then what's so cute?"

"Nobody other than my sister's ever really asked what could make me feel better. There's been one or two people along the way, really good people, but you're just cute about it. You're sort of like a puppy- in a good way!"

"There's always gonna be people who don't care, but those few who do are really special. Yang, Qrow, and Zwei were that for me. All puppies are good, how could there be a bad way to take that?"

"Sisters are really great, aren't they? They always try to protect us, even when they probably shouldn't," Weiss said, watching Ruby's face as she drove the car, her eyes always coming back to Weiss, "What did she tell you about home?"

Ruby silently watched the road, her fingers tapping on the steering wheel, "A little, but not much. She never liked talking about her past, always tried to avoid it when she could, but she told us about fencing, her mom- er, your mom,"

"What about father?"

"Is it normal to call your dad father in Atlas? I've never been, but it sounds so formal to me, it just sounds weird,"

"It does sound weird, doesn't it? I've always called him that, it's what he asked to be called,"

"Asked or ordered?"

"I take it Winter told you about him then?" Weiss sighed, sinking further into her seat.

"A little. Weiss, we found her on the side of the road with everything she owned in the back of her bug. I wasn't the smartest kid, but even I could tell something wasn't right,"

"I tried calling her, but her phone didn't have any service. I was so scared until she called that night, I was sure she'd been kidnapped or worse. Thanks for helping her, I'm glad you guys found her,"

"No need to thank us, we were coming home from visiting Mom and saw her there. Yang bet me I couldn't fix her car, and I wanted candy.

"That's why you stopped? You wanted to win a bet for candy?" Weiss asked, holding back a laugh.

"I wouldn't put it like that, especially to her, but sorta,"

"Winter's gonna love that," Weiss laughed, her stomach felt bubbly when she saw the way Ruby was smiling at her.

"I wouldn't be shocked if Qrow told her, and if not then she won't be shocked, she knows us," Ruby explained as she took a familiar turn. "How was your dad? I was always scared to ask Winter, I'm still scared now, but I wanted to ask. You don't have to answer if you don't want to though,"

"He loved us, I know that, but he wasn't a good guy… He pushed everyone in his life hard, like if we weren't always working then it was a waste. Winter couldn't take it and came here,"

"And you? You stayed?"

"I did. I figured if I was there then he wouldn't care what Winter did, that way she'd be able to live the life she wanted. It worked for a while," Weiss said, a hitch in her voice as she turned to look out at the familiar city streets passing them by.

"So Winter left and you stayed behind to work? That sounds pretty lonely,"

"No, not always. I had Klein,"

"One of those good people you were talking about?"

"He was the best! He always let me wander around the manor, bought me CDs," the truck came to a gentle stop as the light flashed red. Ruby turned towards her, eyes wide as her smile, leaning forwards like Winter did when she was sucked into a movie.

"I'd love to meet him, I'd ask him all about how you were as a kid! Do you think he has baby pictures of you and Winter?"

"I'm not sure, I'll have to ask him next time I see him. Who knows, maybe I'll bring you along,"

"Could you?" Ruby asked excitedly,

"Only if I get to see Qrow's baby pictures of you," Weiss said cockily, only to deflate when Ruby shook her head.

"I'm not sure where they are anymore. Probably some storage unit somewhere. Maybe they got sold on one of those auction shows? I think that'd be cool, maybe I'd see them in a shop somewhere," She nodded solemnly, the glow of the light made her face look dark.

"If you ever wanna track them down one day, I'd love to help. I'd also love to end up on one of those shows, it sounds like a blast,"

"That sounds like a fun plan. What's Klein doing now? Buttling somewhere?"

"I don't think he's doing anything anymore,"

"Like, retired? Or dead?"

"Retired. Jeez, not everything's super dark. My dad fired him a couple of months ago, and now he's relaxing. He spent most of his life working for the richest man in Atlas, he was very well compensated," Weiss said, knowing the words were true but feeling a stone in her stomach.

"Can I ask why he got fired? I don't wanna pry, but… I'm curious,"

"Of course you are," Weiss giggled, putting her finger on the top of her scar and tracing it down her eye, "After my dad did this, Klein knocked him out. He said it was his resignation letter, really sounded like an action hero,"

The light turned green and Weiss looked out at the street, waiting for the car to move. Weiss looked around for something that might be keeping them still, like someone crossing the road, only to find nothing.

"Ruby?" Weiss asked, turning to see the girl gripping the steering wheel so hard it looked like she was about to tear it off. Her jaw was clenched and she was glaring at the road like it had offended her. "Ruby?"

"I said it was cool…" She whispered, her hands shaking.

"You did, and I really appreciated it,"

"Why? Because I pointed out your scar when you'd rather forget about it?" Ruby mumbled, pushing down on the gas before anyone could honk at her.

"No, because it made me feel normal for once. Everyone else just stares at it and pretends I can't see. You just talked about it like it was totally normal, even Winter doesn't do that,"

"Scars aren't bad or anything, they just mean that you're somewhere better now. That's what I think at least. Not that I'm into giving yourself scars or anything, that's not exactly a healthy way to cope. But like, I get it? I don't think you do, but, I'm not gonna shut up now," Ruby muttered, all but biting her lips closed.

"I think it looks ugly. It could've been anywhere, my leg, arm, back, but nope. It had to be the face. It doesn't help boost my confidence. But you saying that it looked cool? That did," Weiss scooched closer to Ruby, so close she could have reached out and held her hand on the wheel. It would've been nice if not for the seat belt cutting into her side.

"It doesn't make it better if it's on your back," Ruby said sadly as her jaw relaxed and her fingers came free of the steering wheel one at a time.

"No, it probably doesn't," Weiss said, holding her back tongue from saying more. Weiss unclicked her seat belt and slid until her legs were almost touching Ruby's.

"I hate that you have that scar, and I really hate how you got it, but I'm glad I could make you feel better about it. I hope you know that I don't look at it when I see you,"

"What do you look at then? My messy hair?" Weiss chuckled, but Ruby shook her head.

"It's your eyes," She smiled, her eyes sparkling with the orange glow of the street lamps.

"I- Thank you. Your eyes are, also, captivating. Does that sound weird?"

"Being weird doesn't matter,"

"Right, obviously," Weiss stuttered, not sure if she should back away. Ruby slowed the truck until it came to an easy stop that would've left an eye sitting on top of the car. Her dad would be proud.

Ruby looked down at Weiss's hand resting on the cushion, smiling. "This is your apartment, right?"

"Is it bad that I know we are based on the smell?" Weiss asked, sniffing the air and getting the familiar odor of wet animal hair and pee.

"The city has a pretty distinct smell, I just wish it was a good one," Ruby said before unclipping her seatbelt, the smell of her shampoo filling the air. Weiss felt her heart thump in her chest like a bomb going off. She risked a quick glance at the back of the truck, finding Yang and Blake were both limp as noodles.

"Should I walk you inside? It'll probably be safer,"

"Yes please," Weiss squeaked, feeling her face light up.

"Lead the way," Ruby said as she opened the door, holding it open with a bow, "Princess,"

"I'm not a princess. At this point I'm not even an heiress. I'm just an… ess,"

"Yang calls me that sometimes, but she pronounces it differently. More with an a" Ruby said as she took Weiss's hand, helping her climb out of the car.

"Clever," Weiss chuckled, enjoying the calloused and warm feeling of Ruby's fingers.

"This isn't giving you anxiety?" Weiss asked, holding their hands up, holding Ruby's tight.

"It's not bad when it's someone I like touching me," Ruby said as they walked across the street, holding hands in the lamplight.

"Are you saying you like me?" Weiss asked, mirroring Ruby before she had time to realize what she was saying.

"I didn't say that,"

"Are you saying you don't like me?" Weiss asked with a trembling voice, trying to stop the words before they were out.

"Of course not," Ruby said, gripping Weiss's hand tightly as they approached the front door.

"Ok, good. Good to know that you l-like me. I think you're swell," Weiss sputtered out, feeling light on her feet as she spoke.

"Swell? It's not as good as liking me but it's better than hating me, I'll take it,"

"I like you," Weiss corrected quickly, wishing she'd learn to shut up for once in her life.

"It's a good thing I'm seeing you in school tomorrow then. Even better that we're going to the dance together,"

"I agree, I can't wait… I really like spending time with you, Ruby. You really are great," Weiss whispered before standing on her tiptoes and latching Ruby in a tight hug.

"So are you," Ruby said, relaxing her rigid back and melting into the hug. For a moment Weiss thought that Ruby would lean in and kiss on the lips, or even the cheek. For a long moment, Ruby thought about doing that very thing. "Goodnight," She whispered, hands clutching Weiss's shirt.

"Goodnight, I'll see you tomorrow. Text me when you're home safe, ok?"

"I will, I gotta get those two lovebirds home at all costs," Ruby said pointing her thumb to the truck.

"Ruby, thanks for a great night," Weiss smiled, feeling her insides flutter as Ruby stumbled back to the truck with a goofy grin on her face.

"It was an honor, m'lady," Ruby nodded, getting back into the truck and driving down the road, into the misty midnight. Weiss watched them go, her heart pounding like no tomorrow thinking about- everything. The match, tonight, tomorrow, the dance! There was too much to look forward to!

Weiss chuckled as she walked in the door, feeling like for the first time in her life she was finally inside of her own life. That feeling turned to dust and ash when Weiss saw Earl sitting at the front desk with his crossword puzzle on the table. She'd only taken a step into the building when he stood up.

"You're sister's waiting for you,"